Exercise- and Psychosocial-Based Interventions to Improve Daily Activity in Heart Failure: A Pilot Study. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shoemaker, Michael J.; Oberholtzer, Nicole L.; Jongekrijg, Lance E.; Bowen, Travis E.; Cartwright, Kelly; Hanson, Kim; Serba, Deb; Dickinson, Michael G.; Kowalk, Amy
• Is Part Of: Home health care management & practice. Volume 29:Number 2(2017:May)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 120
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: heart failure -- daily activity -- exercise training -- implantable cardioverter defibrillator -- cardiac resynchronization device -- behavior change; Home care services -- Periodicals; 649
• DOI: 10.1177/1084822316683660
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1084-8223

Abstract

In individuals with heart failure (HF), low daily activity is associated with a poorer prognosis. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of two home-based interventions on the primary HF-related outcome of daily activity and secondary outcomes of exercise tolerance, HF-related health status, and lower extremity functional strength in 16 patients with HF and implanted Medtronic implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization devices using a single-blind, randomized controlled pilot trial. Interventions were either daily activity feedback and encouragement or health coaching and home-based exercise. There were no significant differences in primary or secondary outcomes either between or within groups. Three subjects in each treatment group improved in two or more secondary outcomes, and only one improved in daily activity. Although the present pilot study incorporated both exercise and psychosocial components in the intervention, there was no effect on daily activity, perhaps because readiness for behavioral change was not accounted for either in group stratification/allocation or inclusion criteria.